§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of hospitals in the United Kingdom; and how many of them now have their cleaning done by private contractors.
§ Sir George YoungThere are 2,630 NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom. Information about the number cleaned by private contractors is not available centrally, but most health authorities make some use of contract cleaning services. In 1979–80 contracts with private companies accounted for the following percentages of authorities' expenditure on cleaning and domestic services.
1976–77 per cent. 1977–78 per cent. 1978–79 per cent. 1979–80 per cent. 1980–81 per cent. †10 (1 April) 9 (1 April) 14 (1 April) Those earning £8,500 or more NIL *5 (1 April) †10 (1 August) ‡6½ (1 April) Those earning less than £8,500 *4–16 — — — — Notes * Increases paid in these years took the form of supplements to pay. † The recommendation by the Standing Commission on Pay Comparability—the Clegg Commission—for an overall average increase of 20 per cent. approximately in nurses' and midwives' pay was implemented in two equal stages. ‡ A reduction of 2½ hours in the nurses and midwives working week, equivalent to a 6½ per cent. improvement in pay.